Powell River Regional District board of directors has announced it is combining the proposed fire services coordinator position with the existing regional emergency program coordinator position.
Ryan Thoms, who is currently the regional emergency program coordinator, has been promoted to the new position along with a new title, manager of emergency services, effective September 1.
“Recognizing the pressures of achieving compliance with the ever increasing roles, responsibilities and standards expected by the provincial government, the board has chosen to align emergency/disaster services with fire services,” according to a statement issued by the regional district. “This policy will consolidate the current position of the regional emergency program coordinator with that of the contract fire services coordinator position authorized in the 2013 operating budget.”
In July 2012, Jack Blair, a consultant hired to complete a review of fire services, submitted a report on the regional district’s four volunteer fire departments: Malaspina, Northside, Savary Island and Lasqueti Island. The report contained a number recommendations, including establishing a fire services coordinator position to lead the work that needs to be done to address major issues concerning the volunteer fire departments.
“The impetus for this restructuring is the identified need within the organization to assist the volunteer fire chiefs in carrying out their administrative duties and enable them to focus and concentrate on the operational aspects,” the release stated.
The approach and direction will fulfill two requirements with “one stroke of the brush,” the release also stated. “Without doubt, implementing this strategy will ultimately create synergies, efficiencies and economies of scale. At the same time it is expected that this new path will control future costs and allow for organizational predictability.”
Thoms said he is “very happy” with the restructuring. “I appreciate all the work the fire departments do and I think this is recognition of that,” he said. “We have a lot of challenges, but a lot of great strengths too.”
Thoms also said he thinks there is synergy between the emergency planning work that he has been doing and the volunteer fire departments, which are the local resource. “It’s hugely important to do this,” he said. “I think we have a lot of work to do, but I think we have all the right people and we’ll make some great progress.”
In other developments, Sean McGinn, who was the regional district’s manager of community services, is no longer with the regional district. McGinn was hired for the job in 2011.
Al Radke, regional district chief administrative officer, said he had no comment about McGinn, but confirmed he was no longer with the regional district. Radke also said the regional district would begin a search for a candidate to fill the position in the “very near future.”
